Some History And Details Of The Root Canal Procedure

If you have ever gone to the dentist for a root canal, this is a procedure which has been mastered over the last several decades. Endodontic treatments can be traced back to the 1800s, but due to modern dental advancements, it has become an effective way to protect a tooth that has been injured through cracking, or may soon need to be extracted as a result of decay. The treatment itself is comprehensive, requiring the removal of the infected pulp within the tooth, replacing it with a substance that will prevent further decay and infections. Here is an overview of this procedure.

Although it is officially called endodontic therapy, this procedure is most commonly referred to as a root canal. It requires the removal of the crown of the tooth, the removal of the nerve tissue and blood vessels within the pulp chamber, which will then be filled with gutta-percha and then sealed. This procedure may also require eugenol-based cement, along with an epoxy resin to bind everything together. Depending upon the state of the tooth, it may require secondary treatments, or may even result in some type of surgery. If you are in southern California we can recommend a good Endodontist in Beverly Hills, CA. There is a great website for more info and to help you find an Endondontist in your area.

What Tools Are Used?

Since the first technique was developed back in 1961, there have been many improvements. They may utilize the step back technique which is a two phase procedure that uses a manual or rotating instrument to evacuate the pulp chamber. Other procedures include the crown down and hybrid procedures, and also the double flare technique. These are procedures used for completing the root canal, and although these techniques are advanced, tooth discoloration will occur regardless.

Although there is the possibility that some teeth, like the maximal molar, could have four canals instead of three. This could lead to infections later on if the additional canal is not detected and cleaned. However, modern x-rays and procedures are very good at helping modern dentist become successful with almost every root canal that is done. As time passes, the current 97% rate for successful root canals may improve. If you ever need to have a root canal done, it is a much longer procedure than addressing a cavity, or adding veneers. However, once done, the pain that you were experiencing will no longer exist because the infected material and nerves will be gone, all courtesy of a decades-old procedure that so many people must have done.